2006 Recipient, Agnes Ann Green
Distinguished Service Award
Sofia Pappatheodoru, this years recipient of the 2006 Agnes Ann Green Award for service to the Southern California ACS section, is one of our most enthusiastic and creative volunteers. Her service to the section and the broader ACS is long term, and seems to continue no matter what her condition. Recently she was actively involved even while recovering from a serious illness.
Sofia has served the Section and the National Society in a variety of roles. These include Chair of the Section as well as leadership of many committees such as awards, education, and various outreach programs. Most recently she has obtained funds to continue our very successful “Science in the Cinema” program.
During her tenure as Chair of the Section, we received the national ACS Public Relations Award, the Phoenix Award for outstanding high school and outreach programs, regional recognition for our outstanding high school teachers, and a very impressive representation of local students on the Chemistry Olympiad team. It is clear that Sofia was a catalyst for the success of these activities.
Sofia’s service is probably best illustrated by her dedication to students and her success involving them in ACS activities. Sofia can always be counted on to bring along a group of enthusiastic students, whether it be for a local meeting, work at regional meetings, or involvement in the many student affiliate activities at national meetings. And she has led many of our Section’s Education Days that serve the teachers in our region. At her Domiquez Hills campus she has served as the faculty advisor to the Science Society where the students literally “love her”. And her success in motivating this student affiliate group has resulted in their being named as an outstanding chapter almost every year.
Her volunteer efforts bring recognition to our profession as she reaches out into the community. In 2004, she received the CSUDH/City of Carson Award for Service and Leadership to the University and the Community presented at the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast.
Sofia’s enthusiastic approach to Section activities, whether it be in the education area or the broader services that ACS provides its members and community, is ever present. She always seems to have an idea to pursue or people to contact for help. And she does not hesitate to take the leadership role in many of these activities. Her Green Award is a fitting recognition by her peers of the significant service that she has provided the Section.
– Dr. Stanley Pine, Chair
Green Award Committee